Preservation of Porcine Donation after Circulatory Death (DCD) Liver by Perfusion and Orthotopic Liver Transplantation

Summary

This protocol outlines the methodology of establishing a porcine model utilizing variable temperature-controlled Machine Perfusion (MP) for the preservation of the donor liver, followed by orthotopic liver transplantation (OLTx). It aims to promote the success rate of OLTx using donor donation after circulatory death (DCD) liver and establish a stable model.

Abstract

Conventional static cold storage (SCS) exacerbates ischemic injury in the DCD liver, leading to severe complications for transplant recipients. To address this issue, clinical application of MP technology for donor liver preservation is underway. Simultaneously, efforts are focused on the development of various MP instruments, validated through relevant animal model experiments. Effective large animal trials play a pivotal role in clinical applications. However, challenges persist in the ex vivo preservation of DCD livers and the transplantation procedure in pigs. These hurdles encompass addressing the prolonged preservation of donor livers, conducting viability tests, alleviating ischemic injuries, and shortening the anhepatic phase. The use of a variable temperature-controlled MP device facilitates the prolonged preservation of DCD livers through sequential Dual Hypothermic Oxygenated Machine Perfusion (DHOPE) and Normothermic Machine Perfusion (NMP) modes. This protocol enhances the porcine OLTx model by improving the quality of DCD livers, optimizing the anastomosis technique, and reducing the duration of the anhepatic phase.

Introduction

Liver transplantation remains the sole curative treatment for end-stage liver disease and selected liver cancers. Despite significant advancements in procurement, preservation, operative techniques, and post-transplant immunosuppression, a notable mortality rate persists among patients on the waiting list due to a shortage of suitable donor organs. A primary challenge lies in preserving livers procured from DCD, as these organs necessitate specialized care to mitigate ischemic injuries¹. Ex vivo liver machine perfusion offers a unique method to both preserve and evaluate DCD liver grafts before transplantation².....

Protocol

All animal experiments were conducted in accordance with the Experimental Animal Management Ordinance (Ministry of Science and Technology of the People's Republic of China, 2017). Bama female miniature pigs (40-45 kg) were used. The study protocol was approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee of the General Hospital of Southern Theater Command of PLA, China. The pigs were housed in the research facility for 1 week before transplantation and then fasted but with free access to water for 12 h before t.......

Discussion

Liver MP is currently extensively utilized in clinical trials, but further preclinical research using large animal models remains necessary^5,6. Porcine OLTx presents significant challenges that result in low success rates. These challenges encompass warm ischemia of the donor, anatomical variations, and intolerance to prolonged clamping of the vena cava and portal vein^7,8. The implantation phase continues.......

Materials

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
Anesthesia respirator	Mindray,Shenzhen	WATO EX-20
Automatic biochemical analyzer	MNCHIP, China	Celercare V5
Bama female miniature pigs	Pearl Lab Animal Sci & Tech Co,Ltd (Guangdong, China).		40-45 kg
Blood gas analyzer	Abbott	i-STAT300
ECG monitor	Shenzhen Ericon Medical Equipment Co., LTD China	M-9000S
Fully automatic snowflake ice	Changshu Shenghai Electric Co., Ltd. China
Perfusate in NMP			5% Human serum albumin 100-150 mL, Whole blood 1.2-1.5 L, 2.5% NaHCO3 21 mL, 10% CaCL2 7mL , Heparin 5000 U , Cefoxltin 1 g, Metronidazole 500 mg, Sodium taurocholate 5 g, Short acting insulin 72 U, Total parenteral nutrition solution 250-500 mL.
Potal catheter	Jinxin technology,Shunde,China		Portal vein catheter for custom cannula of varying internal diameter (6-8.5 mm)
Refrigeration centrifuge	hermo Fisher Scientific - CN
The CG8/CG4 blood gas test card	Abbott
The CHEM 8 test card	Abbott
The ex vivo liver machine perfuion device	Devocean Medical Instrument Co., Ltd, Guangdong, China	DEVOCEAN-LIVER 2000	This is a multi-mode, temperature-controlled, biomimetic ex vivo liver machine perfusion device, capable of preserving the liver outside the body for 24 h
UW Cold Storage solution	Bridge to Life, Ltd., USA	Belzer UW	Liver in SCS group were preserved in UW Cold Storage solution
UW Machine Perfusion Solution	Bridge to Life, Ltd., USA	Belzer MPS	Adenine (free base) 0.68 g, Calcium Chloride (dihydrate) 0.068 g, Dextrose (+) 1.80 g, Glutathione (reduced) 0.92 g, HEPES (free acid) 2.38 g, Hydroxyethyl Starch 50.0 g, Magnesium Gluconate 1.13 g, Mannitol 5.4 g, Potassium Phosphate (monobasic) 3.4 g, Ribose, D(-) 0.75 g, Sodium Gluconate 17.45 g, Sodium Hydroxide 0.70 g, Sterile Water for Injection To 1000 mL Volume
Vacuum extractor	SMAF	DYX-2A